Hey fellow/future Etsy seller! I know how overwhelming it is to find the right packaging for your brand, so I’ve compiled 15 Etsy Packaging Ideas below to spark inspiration.
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I’ve been an Etsy seller for about 11-12 years now, and in that time I’ve learned a great deal on how to succeed on Etsy. One of the BIGGEST make or break factors of your Etsy shop comes down to packaging. Crazy right? I emphasize greatly that you take into consideration what you will be packing your products in, as well as what goodies you’ll include inside your package.
What are some BENEFITS of having good packaging?
- Returning Customers
- Good Reviews
- Unboxing videos
- Making yourself searchable on other platforms
- Small business charm
- Table of Contents:
- Packaging Inserts Ideas: The DO’S and DON’TS
- DOS: Things You SHOULD Put In Your Packages
- Resources: DIY Packaging Inserts
- FAQs: Packaging Ideas for Etsy
1. What Packaging is Best for Jewelry?
So, you don’t want your precious handmade jewelry sliding around willy nilly in your package, and you don’t want to spend a fortune on packaging? I got you. Here are some of my favorite affordable packaging ideas for jewelry:
Personalize these bags with a cute logo stamp or sticker and you’re ready to go.
Selling Points:
- Prevents scratching
- Drawstring
- Reusable
- Variety of colors and sizes
Similar to the Microfiber bags, the microfiber pouches can be personalized as well. They offer a more upscale look to your jewelry for a fraction of the price.
Selling Points:
- Prevents scratching
- Stiff to prevent bending
- Reusable
- Luxury jewelry feel
- Variety of colors and sizes
This is your most basic option. A great choice for just starting out.
Selling points:
- Clear to showcase jewelry
- Secured by glue
- Easy/quick packaging
- Cheap price
- Basic
2. What is the Best Packaging for Clothes?
Clothing brands!
Here’s what you’ll need to achieve the look above:
Svaldo Packaging Clothing Bags
MOST USED and reviewed by small business owners!
Selling Points:
- Frosted Matte Finish
- Easy Packaging (Zipper)
- Size Range (5×7 – 14×18)
- Vent Holes – Allows product to breathe
- Reusable by Customers
If you are looking for an Eco-Friendly option with minimal packaging time, tissue paper is the way to go.
Selling Points:
- Biodegradable
- Easy Packaging (Click HERE for a tutorial on Tissue Paper Packaging)
- Personalize it!
- Great Price
- Various Colors
Custom Mailing & Shipping Bags
This is a slightly pricier option for packaging your clothes, I know…BUT they’re so cute.
Selling Points:
- Cute Designs
- Tear, Puncture, and Moisture Resistant
- Easy Peel & Seal
- Ready to Mail (No external packaging needed)
- Adds Character
3. Simple Packaging Ideas for Paper/ Art
I currently run a stationery/invitation business, so I have a little more insight into this category particularly. However, it was fun to find new unique ways to package paper/art prints. Here are a few I found to be the most cute packaging ideas…and affordable of course.
Envelopes Peel & Seal Self Seal
I love an easy peel & seal moment. These are great for small art prints or stickers!
Selling Points:
- Easy Packaging (Peel & Seal)
- Variety of Colors
- Great Price in Bulk
- Personalized (Easy to add branding on the outside to make it more identifiable)
Self Seal Cello Cellophane Bags
These are what I use to package my smaller stationery orders!
Selling Points:
- Easy Peel & Seal
- Great Price in Bulk
- Clear Packaging
- Personalized (I get all my small bags stamped with my branding)
- Variety of Sizes
For larger art prints like paintings, posters, and whatnot – I highly suggest mailing tubes.
Selling Points:
- Sturdy Cardboard
- Sealed with Caps
- Prevents Bending
- Personalized (stamp it up!)
Additional Notes: I would suggest getting yourself some BACKING BOARDS to help avoid any bending during shipping.
4. Aesthetic Packaging Ideas for Bath and Beauty Products
Cardboard boxes are the standard for bath & beauty product packaging. However, that doesn’t mean they have to be boring.
Here are some cute aesthetic packaging ideas for your beauty brand:
Nothing screams “aesthetic” like a marble design.
Selling Points:
- Come Personalized
- Sturdy Cardboard
- Clean Sleek Feel
- Various Design Choices
- Great Price in Bulk
For those of you willing to spend a few extra bucks, these custom boxes are great.
Selling Points:
- Branded
- Luxurious Custom Feel
- Sturdy Cardboard
- Completely your own
See my 13 Absolute Best Packaging Ideas for Bath Bombs for more inspiration on packaging bath & beauty products!
Now that you have your basics, let’s get into the fun stuff:
DON’TS: Things You Should NOT Put In Your Packages
- Business Cards
- Candy/Snacks
- Nothing at all
5. DO NOT Put Business Cards In Your Packages
Adding a plain business card to your package is not necessarily wrong, but it is boring. Most inserts get thrown away when a customer opens their package, so in order to avoid that I would suggest adding a thank you card insert instead. This way they are being thanked for their purchase, and not just thrown a business card that they won’t keep.
“You will be remembered more for your kindness than any level of success you could possibly attain.”
www.dailyinspirationalquotes.in
6. DO NOT Put Candy/Snacks in Your Packages
This is a new thing, especially on Tik Tok. I think it is more likely that your customer will throw it away to avoid any possible dangers, so don’t waste your time or money.
Dangers:
- Poison (a real fear!)
- Allergies
- Damage to Product (They could melt and ruin the product)
7. DO NOT Put Nothing At All
This is kind of a given, and something you definitely know if you are looking up Etsy packaging ideas. Not putting anything in your packages suggests that you do not care about the customer, or your own product.
DOS: Things You SHOULD Put In Your Packages
- Tissue (Personalized/Plain)
- Thank You Card/Social Media Card
- Quality Card
- Stickers
- Cushioning
8. Tissue Paper Inserts for Packages
Tissue paper suggests to the customer that their order is a gift. It might be presumptuous to assume that everyone loves receiving gifts, but I’m going to assume away because I know I do!
Other Benefits Include:
- 1,000 Different Ways to Fold (See HERE for tutorial)
- Personalize it (Use a stamp to add more branding to your product)
- Returning Customers
WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
9. Personalized Thank You Cards for Small Business
Thank you cards are a MUST in the small business world. They let your customers know how appreciative you are of every purchase.
Other Benefits Include:
- Small Business Charm (Remind them how important it is to #shopsmall)
- Keepsake for Your Customer
- Something Extra
PRO-TIP: Add your social media accounts/other platforms you sell on to kill two birds with one stone.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
- Quality Cardstock
- Quality Printer
- If you are not looking to DIY these click HERE
See below in RESOURCES section for ideas on how to design your own cards online.
10. Quality Cards for Small Business Packaging
This is something I do myself in my own packages, and have only seen a few other times in other packaging. This really depends on if you have other employees working on orders. It is good to know that a real person has handled your order.
Here is what a Quality Card looks like and what it entails:
11. Stickers for Packaging Inserts
This is a cute Etsy packaging idea I’ve seen become more popular lately. Adding a few fun random stickers as packaging inserts apparently goes a long way!
Benefits:
- Something FREE
- Keepsake
- Teaming Up Opportunity (team up with an Etsy sticker business for more exposure)
WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
- I recommend purchasing a few random sticker packs from other small businesses on Etsy!
12. Cute Cushioning Etsy Packaging Ideas
Keep your products safe with these cute packaging ideas.
- Colorful Packing Peanuts
- Crinkle Cut Shred Paper
- Bubble Wrap
WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
Resources: DIY Packaging Inserts
Wanting to make some of our DOS yourself?
Here are some resources you may find useful:
13. Canva.com
Great for quick and easy designing. The templates, fonts, and graphics are endless. You can also design your logo on Canva or insert one you already have very easily. I recommend purchasing the Canva PRO subscription for even more options.
Here is a quick HOW TO:
Step 1: Search “Thank You Card” or whatever you wish to create, and choose a template.
Step 2: Start adjusting your template to fit your style and correct information. Get Creative!
Once you feel confident in your design – print it out in bulk and start inserting them in your packaging.
Canva also offers great tips & tricks on designing on their website on Youtube HERE
14. Youtube
It may be obvious already, but Youtube is a great resource for learning how to personalize your inserts at home. They have videos for everything!
15. Tik Tok
During my research for this blog post on Etsy packaging ideas, I actually found Tik Tok to be rather helpful. Some people are even kind enough to explain how they did certain things, and show where they found the items needed to do it.
FAQs: Packaging Ideas for Etsy
1. Should I send inserts with gifts?
- Yes and No. I send gifted items with a quality card and branding card only. The quality card gives peace of mind that a real person made their gift, and the branding is so they can look your business up on other platforms.
2. What should I include in my Etsy package?
- If you are still unsure on what all to include in your package, at the very least, include a thank you card and a branding card. You can test the waters with these, and progressively get more fancy with it in time. Actually, you’d be surprised how often your inserts will change throughout your time as a seller!
3. How do you package things you sell?
- One thing we didn’t discuss was how to arrange things within the package, but its okay. This is a learn as you go type of thing. You will notice some placements work better than others in terms of aesthetic or in terms of handling during shipping. I recommend taking notes as you go.
Well, you’ve made it to the end – congrats! I hope you were able to get inspired by some of these Etsy packaging ideas. I look forward to purchasing from some of you and seeing what y’all come up with!
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